Fort Wainwright youth take the stage

By Trish Muntean (Fort Wainwright)March 25, 2011

Fort Wainwright youth take the stage
Freddi Eastwood portrayed Snow White in the Child, Youth and School Services and Missoula Children's Theatre adaption of the fairytale "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." She is the daughter of Chi Chi and Sgt. 1st Class Warren Eastwood, 28th Military... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska -- Two dozen young military family members from Child, Youth and School Services worked with Missoula Children's Theatre for an original adaption of the classic fairytale "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

After a week of rehearsals, the play, complete with rhyme and song, was performed at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks, March 19.

MCT's program synopsis explains that in this variation of the play a young princess named Snow White finds herself in peril when her stepmother, Queen Bella is told by her magic mirror that the princess is fairer than she. Aided by her two henchmen and a band of evil bats, the queen plots to get rid of Snow White. Snow White escapes from Queen Bella and from the Black Forest creatures with help from Witless the Woodsman and finds a home with the seven dwarfs.

When Queen Bella learns of Snow White's whereabouts she attempts to poison Snow White. But, Queen Bella's evil plans are thwarted when Snow White's fearless forest friends, her father King Backwards, the seven dwarfs and the prince come to her rescue.

"It was kinda twisted" said Whinnifred "Freddi" Eastwood, daughter of Chi Chi and Sgt. 1st Class Warren Eastwood, 28th Military Police Detachment, 793rd Military Police Battalion.

Snow White was the first play Freddi Eastwood had ever performed in and she was cast as the lead.

It was really fun, she said. "It was something different to do with my spring break."

Although she had lots of lines as Snow White, she said she didn't have much of a problem memorizing them. "My lines were long, but they rhymed so they were kind of easy. I have always been good at rhymes."

Sitting still during theatrical makeup sessions was a bit more difficult. "I don't really wear makeup that much, so it was weird. But just to sit there and have them try to make me look like Snow White... Still I had a good time, I would do it again."

Allison Lingley, daughter of Melinda and Master Sgt. Raymond Lingley, 28th Military Police Detachment, 793rd Military Police Battalion, was the Magic Mirror in the play. She had performed in one play in elementary school and was happy to have an opportunity to perform again, Allison said.

Allison enjoyed working with the younger kids (children as young as kindergarteners were in the play). She said that they were less nervous than some of the older performers, herself included. "I was pretty nervous," Allison said. Her biggest concern was that she would forget her lines, but she remembered them all. Tonya McCarty, CYSS training and program specialist, coordinated the project. "The kids just loved it," she said. "It gave them an opportunity to show their skills and to learn new skills. It gave them confidence, being up there. It showed them teamwork. Just the responsibility of committing to something and then following through and finishing it."

McCarty said that it was a big responsibility and commitment for the parents as well. Parents had to transport their kids back and forth, making sure they were there on time and available for rehearsals four to five hours a day, as well as helping them with their parts. "It was very much a family program."

"The youth gave "an absolutely fabulous performance," McCarty said. "I was so impressed."